Is the Golden State of Mind geared towards the here and now...or looking towards the future?

by nhlogan on Jul 2, 2009 12:12 PM PDT Comment 25 comments

Hello all. So amidst all the trades, signings, and rumors going around the NBA, including our own rumors regarding Amar'e Stoudemire, I got to thinking about where the Warriors as a franchise want to be this season, next season, and a few seasons down the road. I feel that we have a very talented young core group of guys that can develop over these next few years and help us become a championship-caliber team. But I also think we are going to need some upgrades over that course of time to ultimately reach our goal. So I'm wondering how many of you think those upgrades need to come soon (as in now) and how many of you think its better to wait until next off-season's plethora of free agents to become available? In my opinion, the free agent market as of now is dismal to say the least and not to mention a lot of teams aren't willing to part with thier good players right now. The top tier 2009 free agents all seem to already have a home: Kobe and Odom are staying with the Lakers, Boozer's staying with the Jazz, Hedo is getting heavily woo'd by the Blazers and as is Kidd by the Mavs and Knicks. There are some other free agents that haven't found a home yet including Varejao, Ariza, Wallace, and Hill, but I just don't think any of them match up with what the Warriors are looking for or need right now. But do you guys think its safe to enter the season where we're at right now? And if so, but we still end up having a mediocre season, what are the most important changes to be made? I'm going to list all of the free agents that become available in 2010 and I would love to see all of your feedback on who you think would help put our team above and beyond the rest. Don't be afraid to think outside the box and think about drastic changes to the team (for example trading Monta). After all, this is just for fun!

(2010 free agent list obtained from www.hoopsworld.com)

So, let's break into a few categories. First up, let's start with the stars whose contracts expire following the 2009-2010 season and will then become honest-to-goodness free agents:

Joe Johnson
Ray Allen
Manu Ginobili
Marcus Camby
Tracey McGrady
Shaquille O'Neal
Brad Miller
Stephen Jackson
Jermaine O'Neal
Mike Miller
Rip Hamilton

Chris Bosh

Amar'e Stoudemire

The next grouping is those players that are signed thru 2011, but can opt out in 2010 if they so choose:

Yao Ming (owed 17.7 million in 10/11)
Amare Stoudamire (owed 17.7 million in 10/11)
LeBron James (owed 17.2 million in 10/11)
Dwayne Wade (owed 17.0 million in 10/11)
Chris Bosh (owed 17.1 million in 10/11)
Dirk Nowitzki (owed $21.5 million in 10/11)
Josh Howard (owed $11.8 million in 10/11)
Mike Redd (owed $18.3 million in 10/11)
Tyson Chandler (owed $12.8 million in 10/11)

This next list consists of contracts that are set to expire in 2010, but the player may choose to opt-out following the 2008-2009 season:
Steve Nash (owed $13.1 million in 09-10)
Carlos Boozer (owed $12.7 million in 09-10) SIGNED WITH JAZZ
Chris Paul (owed $6 million in 09-10 / almost certain to sign an extension before becoming unrestricted) SIGNED WITH HORNETS
Memo Okur (owed $9.0 million in 09-10)
Hedo Turkoglu (owed $7.4 million in 09-10)

In addition to the superstars listed above, these 'second-tier' players are set to hit the open market as well:
Ben Wallace
Larry Hughes
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (option to opt-out after 09/10 season)
Anderson Varejao (option to opt-out after 09/10 season)
Al Harrington
Darko Milicic - TRADED TO KNICKS
Udonis Haslem
Jamal Crawford (option to opt-out after 09/10 season) - TRADED TO HAWKS
Eddy Curry (option to opt-out after 09/10 season)
Amir Johnson
Derek Fisher
Raja Bell
T.J. Ford (player option - owed $8.5 million in 10/11)
Travis Outlaw
Bruce Bowen
Earl Watson
Luke Ridnour
Matt Harpring
Quentin Richardson - TRADED TO GRIZZLIES
Damien Wilkins

We also must include the list of players that will actually eventually have value due solely to the fact their contracts come off the books in the summer of 2010:
Jerome James (proof that Isiah Thomas knew what he was doing all along!)
Cuttino Mobley
Brendan Haywood
Tim Thomas
Brian Cardinal
Antonio Davis
Mark Blount
Bobby Simmons
Troy Hudson
Darius Miles
Kenny Thomas
Shareef Abdul-Rahim
Matt Bonner
Etan Thomas

Last, but not least, we have the 2006 Draft Class. These players will all be restricted free-agents in 2010, if they haven't already been inked to extensions:
Brandon Roy
Rudy Gay
LaMarcus Aldridge
Andrea Bargnani
Rajon Rondo
Tyrus Thomas
Kyle Lowry
Randy Foye
Marcus Williams
Josh Boone
Renaldo Balkman
Sergio Rodriguez
Ronnie Brewer

I am anxious to see what you all come up with and who you think best fits the WARRIORS

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

1 recs | Comment 25 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

jackson wont be a free agent in 2010...

by gswfan2 on Jul 2, 2009 12:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

really?

he wont? hm the site must have it wrong then

by nhlogan on Jul 2, 2009 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

he woulda been if not for that stupid extension.

Thing A

by sam23 on Jul 2, 2009 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I say we hold onto those expiring contracts in Law and Claxton and try and get somebody next offseason. If I saw the numbers right, we would be around 45 mil and with the cap at 58-65 mil at that point, we should have enough money to give somebody big money to come here.

WARRIORS BASKETBALL!!! Patiently waiting for a title...I may be waiting for a long time...

by JustSomeName on Jul 2, 2009 12:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

who

would you want to bring in with that big money?

by nhlogan on Jul 2, 2009 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

45 Million.....

nope, that doesnt factor us picking up the option on Wright, Randolph, Belinelli, or AC Law. Also theres a guy named Stephan Curry that we havent actually signed yet and next year first round pick as well. Unless we trade someone for expiring contracts, we wont have anything beyond the MLE to play with next summer.

Thing B

by warriorsscore110 on Jul 2, 2009 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ummmm,

What about Bosh and Amare as far as FA’s in 2010… ya know, the two guys that a lot of the topics on GSoM have surrounded in, I don’t know, the last few weeks?

Having said that, we should have a lot of money to spend, but depending on the production of some of our current players and whether we choose to extend them, our Cap space may not be great enough to afford a top tier player- and what position??

Of the 2nd tier players, however, I like Udonis Haslem, I’ve always liked him. He’s a big reason for Miami’s relative successes and doesn’t get much credit for it.

Chris Cohan- YOU'RE FIRED!

by bonbrillio on Jul 2, 2009 12:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

my bad

i just copied from the website and i didnt read every single name so i didnt know bosh and stoudemire werent listed

by nhlogan on Jul 2, 2009 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

edit

fixed it. but for some reason theres spaces in between those names. oh well

by nhlogan on Jul 2, 2009 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Correction,

My bad too- Bosh has a player option for 2010/2011, but has said he will opt-out.

Amare has an early termination option 2010/2011

Chris Cohan- YOU'RE FIRED!

by bonbrillio on Jul 2, 2009 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

all this bosh talk

makes me want him on the warriors more and more lol

by nhlogan on Jul 2, 2009 1:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I always wanted him,

but to get him, we would have to clear up close to 15 million in capspace plus somehow feature a team that is somewhat competetive. if there is anyway to pull it off, let us know.

Thing B

by warriorsscore110 on Jul 2, 2009 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's actually not too difficult

especially given the redundancy of talent on the Warriors’ roster.

Ellis, Curry, and Randolph are untouchable (and they all should be)

Jackson and Maggette’s contracts are unmovable

Turiaf and Morrow are solid contributors that won’t be able to get equal market value in a trade

With a core of these 7 players, the Warriors should definitely be able to make a move for a more dominant player that would not only give us a necessary scoring threat in the post but also would thin roster.

So that leaves Biedrins, Wright, Azubuike, Belinelli, Law, and Claxton as the Warriors’ movable pieces.

How could Toronto turn down an offer of Biedrins, Wright, Belinelli, and a 1st in 2010? That’s 4 FIRST ROUND PICKS!!! The contracts work, do it

by eastbayglory on Jul 2, 2009 3:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Do the Warriors have a draft pick next year?

I thought they gave New Jersey the pick when they acquired Marcus Williams.

It is the shoes!!!

by LighTz707OuT on Jul 2, 2009 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

its conditional

I think it goes to NJ if we make the playoffs. If not they get it in 2011, 2012 or 2013……I think.

Thing A

by sam23 on Jul 2, 2009 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep,it's lottery protected.

Its time for a change...

by RunNdGun on Jul 2, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

actually

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2009/06/29/warriorsamare-trade-trouble-shooting-could-they-get-2011-conditional-pick-back-from-nj/

no pick

by REALstateofmind on Jul 2, 2009 6:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

You posted a TK article!!

It is the shoes!!!

by LighTz707OuT on Jul 3, 2009 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would put Azubukie in Turiaf and Morrow's group

as a great role player and spot starter. Also I wouldn’t say Andris is untouchable but i would like to build a team around Andris , Curry , Ellis, and Randolph so i kinda like Andris in that group but i agree with everything else

by GSW9 on Jul 2, 2009 3:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Andris Biedrins

Is a great complementary player to a scoring low post player. That’s why I hated the idea of trading Andris and bringing in a player like Amare, leaving you with a front court with both Stoudemire and Randolph trying to share the paint. Sort of reminiscent of Nelson’s move in New York when he brought in Anthony Mason to play alongside Patrick Ewing. There just wasn’t enough food for both of them to eat, and the deal just turned into a sour situation. I think Randolph is going to be a great power forward and he and Andris are going to be great teammates for a long time.

Anthony has shown that he has ability passing the ball. With him improving and Andris doing what he does best, moving without the ball, you’re going to see situations on a nightly basis where Randolph is just tearing his man to pieces, and when the 5 moves over for the help, AR can scoop a nice little dish to Andris via ape arms and we all know Andris is gonna catch the ball and put it where it belongs.

Randolph is going to get much stronger by the time he starts reaching his potential and for what it looks like he’s going to have a shot at being a legitimate 7-footer. In theory, I believe he will be able to play the center spot effectively against selected opponents. He just has that nastiness that so many “beefed” up big men lack, and that rage is going to take him a LONG way matching up against players who supposedly have an edge on him strengthwise. I would be very upset to see us move either Biedrins or Randolph for some of these reasons, and I’m excited about seeing how they grow together.

It is very rare to find a big man as good as Andris who is capable and willing to let Randolph be the kind of elite forward he is working to be.

by lilboots on Jul 2, 2009 5:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

by GSW9 on Jul 2, 2009 7:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s why I hated the idea of trading Andris and bringing in a player like Amare, leaving you with a front court with both Stoudemire and Randolph trying to share the paint. Sort of reminiscent of Nelson’s move in New York when he brought in Anthony Mason to play alongside Patrick Ewing. There just wasn’t enough food for both of them to eat

?! Are you talking about scoring? Anthony Mason averaged less than 12 points per 36 mins for his career so I’m not really seeing how that example supports the case you seem to be trying to make at all. Neither Stoudemire or Randolph seem to resemble either Mason or Ewing in terms of playing style either.

Thing A

by sam23 on Jul 3, 2009 12:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs